Black Hops new brewery pegged for northern Gold Coast

EVERYBODY loves a good beer, but the northern Gold Coast has gone without its own brewery for far too long. But it won’t for much longer.

Black Hops Brewing Co founders Eddie Oldfield, Dan Norris and Michael McGovern pictured at their Burleigh Business. Picture Mike Batterham

POPULAR Gold Coast brewer Black Hops is expanding to the city’s northern reaches.

It is about to launch a second brewery 30 kilometres north of its Burleigh base, on Pine Ridge Rd, Biggera Waters.

Black Hops co-founders Dan Norris, Eddie Oldfield and Michael McGovern opened the Burleigh taproom in June 2016 and said establishing a new location was a logical step.

They hope it will be open early next year.

Blowing the frothy of a cold one … or three. Picture Mike Batterham

“We were always going to expand,” Mr Norris said. “We knew the Burleigh site would be a good place to start building the brand, with the right culture.

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“But it’s not a legitimate industrial area. We liked the idea of doing it on the north end. We were conscious there wasn’t a whole lot up there when it comes to breweries. We have quite a lot of people who come down from the northern suburbs and even Brisbane, so as a location for a larger taproom and overall venue, it made sense.”

Black Hops Brewery beers … mmmmm!

Mr Norris hoped the expansion would increase the 200 venues that currently stock Black Hops Beer.

NEW CRAFT BEER VENUE FOR TUGUN

“We only sell in Queensland and a small amount in NSW. The new brewery will be large enough and allow us to distribute to more places around Australia.”

Black Hops Brewery co founders with the keys to their new Biggera Waters site. Photo Supplied

The expansion, predicted to cost $2-3 million, will include a 1300sq m warehouse with eight-metre-high ceilings and a 200sq m mezzanine for offices; about 150sq m taproom; 700-litre pilot system and fermenters; U-shaped bar area and fixed tables and seating for about 70 people.

The Black Hops Brewery boys

“We are working with an engineer on plans for plumbing and other approvals. We’ve had the keys for about a month, have floor plans, the equipment supplier came from the US.

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“Just haven’t got to do all the fun stuff like putting the bar in, painting etc. The equipment is due at the start of December, so from there, we’ll be able to get more done.”

Black Hops will sell their core range across both locations, but will also have a ‘Recon Series’ which are site specific.

“It’s going to be interesting for us,” Mr Norris said. “Not too many local breweries have opened a second location, most expand at their sites, so it’s a unique challenge.

“Still feels like a fair way off, because it is next year, but we’re keen to get there.”